Ouchless comb

ABSTRACT

A comb includes an elongate slender main body, a slot, and a plurality of bristles. The elongate slender main body has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The slot is disposed in the main body and extends substantially along the entire length of the main body. The main body is separated into a rigid handle portion and a flexible spine portion, such that the rigid handle portion is connected to the flexible spine portion at the first and second ends of the main body. The plurality of bristles extend from the spine portion in a direction opposite the handle portion.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a non-provisional application based on, andclaiming the priority benefit of, co-pending U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/691,119, which was filed on Jun. 16, 2005, andis expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure generally relates to combs and, more particularly, tocombs having a cushioned or flexible spine able to contour to a user'shead.

2. Brief Description of Related Technology

Combs and comb-like devices are readily used and have been around formany years. Such combs and comb-like devices may be configured toperform functions in addition to the ability to comb and/or style hair,such as dandruff removal and dispending medication.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,522 to Donley et al. discloses amedicated comb for applying medication to the hair and scalp of a user.The comb includes a hollow portion for receiving medication that isconnected to ends of bristles. During use, the medication is dispensedfrom the hollow portion through tips of the bristles such that themedication is massaged into the scalp.

In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,175 to Garvey discloses a combfor removing dandruff. The comb includes two inclined combs connected toa holder for a blade having a non-cutting edge. The blade is arranged tobe extended against the pressure of a spring into a cleaning positionbetween the teeth of the combs.

In yet another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,395 to Tiramani et al.discloses a cushion brush. The cushion brush includes a rigid portionand a flexible portion mounted to the rigid portion. A plurality ofbristles are secured to and extend from the flexible portion. Morespecifically, the flexible portion is connected to the rigid portion viafirst and second hinges disposed at first and second ends of theflexible portion. Contact of the bristles with a surface of sufficientrigidity will cause the hinges to pivot and the flexible portion to flexinwardly, bringing a substantial number of parallel rows of bristlesinto conforming contact with the user's head.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a comb having an elongate slenderbody, a slot, and a plurality of bristles. The body includes a first endand a second end opposite the first end. The slot is disposed in themain body of the comb and extends substantially along the entire lengththereof. The slot separates the main body into a rigid handle portionand a flexible spine portion. The rigid handle portion is connected tothe flexible spine portion at the first and second ends of the mainbody. The plurality of bristles extend from the spine portion in adirection opposite the handle portion, such that the flexible spineportion deflects toward the rigid handle portion when sufficient forceis applied to tips of the bristles in a direction of the slot.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a comb having a rigid handleportion, a flexible spine portion, and a plurality of bristles. Therigid handle portion and the flexible spine portion each include firstand second ends, wherein the respective first and second ends of therigid handle portion and the flexible spine portion are attached,thereby providing a slot. The plurality of bristles extend from thespine portion in a direction opposite the handle portion, such that theflexible spine portion deflects toward the rigid handle portion whensufficient force is applied to tips of the bristles in a direction ofthe slot.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a comb having a body, aplurality of bristles, and a housing. The body includes a rigid handleportion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, anda flexible spine portion having a first end and a second end oppositethe first end, such that the respective first and second ends of therigid handle portion and the flexible spine portion are attached,thereby providing a slot there between. The plurality of bristlesextending from the spine portion in a direction opposite the handleportion, and the housing slidably receives the body between a retractedand an extended position.

Further aspects and advantages may become apparent to those skilled inthe art from a review of the following detailed description. While theinvention is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, describedhereinafter are specific embodiments with the understanding that thedisclosure is illustrative, and is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific embodiments described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one exemplary embodiment of a comb according tothe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the comb through line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 a is a cross-sectional view of the comb through line 2-2 of FIG.1, with bristles flexed outwardly;

FIG. 2 b is a detailed side view of a plurality of bristles of FIG. 1including a retaining channel;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the comb of FIG. 1, with a spine portion in aflexed position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb having a flexlimiting member;

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 11 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 13 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 14 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 15 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 16 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb;

FIG. 17 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb including ashroud;

FIG. 18 is a side view of another embodiment of a comb partiallyextending from a housing;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a comb partiallyextending from a housing having a key chain loop;

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a plurality ofcombs partially extending from a housing;

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a comb disposed ina housing having a cap;

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a comb partiallyextending from a housing having a hook;

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a plurality ofcombs extending from a single handle; and

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of the comb FIG. 1, as used in a combingoperation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following text sets forth a detailed description ofnumerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understoodthat the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of theclaims set forth at the end of a patent. The detailed description is tobe construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possibleembodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodimentwould be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternativeembodiments could be implemented, using either current technology ortechnology developed after the filing date of this provisional patentapplication, which would still fall within the scope of the claimsdefining the invention.

It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined inthis provisional patent application using the sentence “As used herein,the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similarsentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, eitherexpressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, andsuch term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on anystatement made in any section of this provisional patent application.

A comb as is disclosed herein includes a flexible or cushioned spineable to deflect to conform to the contour of a user's scalp during use.Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in one exemplary embodiment a comb 20includes a main body 22 having a slot 24 therethrough. The slot 24 mayextend length-wise from a first end 26 to a second end 28 of the mainbody 22 and, as such, may extend along a majority of the length of themain body 22. The slot 24 may separate the main body 22 into a rigidhandle portion 30 and a flexible spine portion 32. As seen in FIGS. 1and 3, the spine portion 32 may be connected to the handle portion 30near the first and second ends 26, 28 of the main body 22.

A plurality of bristles 34 extend from the spine portion 32 in adirection opposite the slot 24 and/or transverse to the slot 24, therigid handle portion 30, and the flexile spine portion 32. The slot 24includes and is at least partially defined by a lower surface 36disposed adjacent the spine portion 32 and an upper surface 38 disposedadjacent the handle portion 30.

An axial force “F” on the bristles 34 in the direction of the slot 24,as seen in FIGS. 3 and 24, may cause the flexible portion 32 to deflecttoward the rigid portion 30. More specifically, as the force “F” isapplied to the ends 42 of the bristles 34, such as by placing the comb20 against a user's scalp for example, the lower surface 36 of the slot24 may flexibly extend toward the upper surface 38 of the rigid portion30. Consequently, a distance between the ends 42 of the bristles 34 maybe reduced as a radius (or more pronounced radius) is created along thespine portion 32 and the ends 42 of the bristles 34. This movement ofthe spine portion 32 in response to the force “F” may allow for agreater number of bristles 34 to engage the user's scalp/hair as theends 42 of the bristles 34 contour to the user's scalp. Additionallyand/or alternatively, the movement of the spine portion 32 in responseto the force “F” may provide a cushion or cushion-like effect in thecomb 20 with respect to the user's scalp.

The comb 20 may be constructed from a variety of materials, includingbut not limited to, natural rubber, cellulose acetate, acrylic, wood,acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polypropylene, polyethylene,nylon, styrene-acrylonitrile (SA), polystyrene, polycarbonate, metal,thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), silicone, or a combination thereof. Inone exemplary embodiment, the comb 20 may be constructed from a firstmaterial which may then be wholly or partially over-molded with a secondmaterial such as TPE and silicone (FIGS. 9-12). Material choice may bedetermined based on the desired function of the product and/or based onthe method of manufacture. For example, the comb 20 may be injectionmolded, blow molded, continuously molded, extruded, vacuum formed,rotation molded, or the like. The manufacturing process or processes canbe selected based on feasibility, cost, tooling concerns, as well asother factors for a given application.

Additionally, the comb 20 may include other features or materials. Forexample, nylon with a Teflon additive in or on the bristles 34 couldprovide a “slippery” plastic surface for gliding through strands of hairof the user which could provide a “hair knot removing” feature.Similarly, other additives may be blended with a desired plastic toprovide the user with other benefits. For instance, a carbon additivecould provide odor removing ability from the hair. Similarly, apyrithium zinc, copper or salicyclic acid additive could provideanti-dandruff capabilities for the user's scalp.

The above exemplary embodiments may be varied to achieve and/or createadditional or alternative features. For example, the comb 20 as shown inFIGS. 1-3 is a pocket comb. However, the comb 20 may include, but is notlimited to, other types of combs such as, for example, “rat-tail” combs,barber's combs, standard combs, super combs, detangling combs, otherpocket combs, and/or shower combs. A comb 120 may also include alimiting member 140 as seen in FIG. 4. The limiting member 140 may limitthe amount of travel between the inner surface 136 relative to the outersurface 138 of the slot 124, or may limit the flexibility of the spineportion 132. In addition, the limiting member 140 may provide an areafor brand or logo placement and may provide added surface area forgripping the comb 20. The bristles 34 may also be varied in size andshape and may include additional or alternate features. For example, asseen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bristles 34 may be varied in size andspacing. As seen in FIG. 4, ends 142 of the bristles 134 may includevarious tips such as ball tips (FIG. 4), TPE covered tips (FIG. 9), andepoxy dipped tips (FIG. 11). The bristles 34 may be fine, medium, andcourse bristles or a combination thereof. Additionally, as seen in FIG.2 a, the bristles 34 may be flexible enough to bow, bend or flexoutwardly which may aid in the detangling of the user's hair.

The bristles 34 in this exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2b, may include a retention channel or slot 35 disposed on one or more ofthe bristles 34. More specifically, the retention channels 35 may extendalong an entire length of the bristles 34 from a top to a bottom of thebristles 34, or may be disposed on only portions thereof. The retentionchannels 35 may have a generally rectangular, square, triangular, orrounded cross-sectional shape. An overall shape of the retentionchannels 35 as viewed in FIG. 2 b ranges from straight to curvy.Preferably, the retention channels 35 are disposed on an outer portionof the bristles 34 as illustrated in FIG. 2 b such that an opening tothe channel 35 faces away from the bristles 34. The channels 35 may beadapted to receive and hold a great variety of liquids, including haircolor, medicine, and other hair related products, but will herein bedescribed as being used with conditioner.

Specifically, as the user applies hair conditioner to the user's hair,the channels 35 will receive and retain some of the conditioner, eitherby direct application of the conditioner onto the comb 20, or byindirect application, such as by combing the comb 20 through hair havingthe conditioner disposed thereon. As a result, as the user pulls thecomb 20 through the hair, the channels 35 will accumulate conditionerwhere it is in excess or not needed, and will disperse the conditionerwhere it is needed or is not present, such as near distal ends of thehair.

A comb 220 as seen in FIG. 5 may also include a handle extension 244,extending from at least one of a first and second end 226, 228 of a mainbody 222. The comb 220 may also include a hook 246. The hook 246 may bedisposed on the first and/or second ends of the main body 222 and/or maybe disposed from an end of the handle extension 244. More specifically,as seen in FIG. 5, the hook 246 may be disposed at an end of the handleextension 244 opposite the second end 228 of the main body 222.Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 8, a hook 546 may be disposed at thefirst end 526 of the main body 522 with the handle extension 544extending from the second end 528. The hook 246 may have various usesincluding improving the aesthetic appearance of the comb 220 and/orproviding a means to hang the comb 220 from an object such as, forexample, a shower or other bathroom feature.

As seen in FIGS. 6-12 and 14-16, alternate embodiments of a handleextension 344, 444, 544, 644, 744, 844, 944, 1144, 1244, and 1344 may bedisposed on combs 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1120, 1220, and1320, respectively. Similarly, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, alternateembodiments of a hook 346 and 446 may be disposed on the combs 320 and420, respectively.

The size and shape of the slot 24 may also vary. For example, as seen inFIGS. 1 and 3, the surfaces 36 and 38 defining the slot 24 may begenerally parallel and generally straight, thereby creating a straightelongate slot 24. The slot 224, as seen in FIG. 5, however, includesundulations or curves creating a ripple or bubble effect in the slot224. As seen in FIG. 7, the slot 424 may be dome-shaped and, as seen inFIG. 10, the slot 724 may include one or more portions wherein theportions are not all straight and parallel to each other. The slot 1024,as seen in FIG. 13, once again may include a plurality of portions thatin combination create a design or feature that is an alternative to therelatively straight slot 24 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. Aside from theshape of the slot 24, the slot 24 may also be filled or may includeflexible or other types of resilient materials. For example, the slot 24may be entirely or partially filled with a rubber or TPE material suchthat the spine portion 32 retains its flexing ability relative to thehandle portion 30.

The flexible spine portion 32 and/or the comb 20 may be of a unitaryconstruction, such that the components of the comb 20 such as, forexample, the rigid portion 30, the spine portion 32 and the bristles 34,may be integrally formed. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 14, the spineportion 1132 may be pivotally and/or rotatably connected to the rigidhandle portion 1130. As seen in FIG. 16, the comb 1320 may also includea device for parting a hair line of the user such as, for example, aparting pick 1350. The parting member 1350 may be disposed anywhere onthe comb 1320, but as seen in FIG. 16, is preferably located at an endof the comb 1320 and/or the handle extension 1344.

In another exemplary embodiment, a comb 1420 may include a shroud orcover 52 disposed over the gap 1424 such that, for example, the shroud52 prevents the user's fingers from being pinched between upper andlower surfaces 1438, 1436. The shroud 52, as illustrated in FIG. 17, mayslidingly engage the comb 1420 and may engage the gap 1424 withadditional structure to retain the shroud 52 on the comb 1420, such astabs or rails (not show). The shroud 52 may attach to a rigid handleportion 1430 and/or to first and second ends 1426, 1428 of a body 1422,thereby allowing a flexible spine portion 1432 to flex during use.

In another exemplary embodiment, a comb 1520 may be disposed in ahousing 54 that slidingly receives the comb 1520. The housing 54 mayinclude a slot or track 56 within which a knob or slider 58 is able totraverse. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the slider 58may be fixedly attached to the comb 1520 near a second end 1526 of abody 1522. The housing 54 may fully encapsulate the comb 1520 with theexception of an opening 60 disposed near a first end 62 of the housingto allow for the extension and retraction of the comb 1520 from and intothe housing 54. The user may extend the comb 1520 from the housing 54 byforcing the slider 58 from a first end 56 a of the slot 56 toward asecond end 56 b. In doing so, the slider 58 will track along the slot 56while simultaneously extending the comb 1520 from the housing 54.

In another exemplary embodiment, a comb 1620 may include a housing 1654having a loop 66 disposed near an end thereof. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 19, a first end 1664 of the housing 1654 may includean aperture 68 forming the loop 66 through which a keychain or otherattachment may be engaged.

In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of combs 1720 may bedisposed in a single housing 1754. For example, as illustrated in FIG.20, the housing 1754 may include a first comb 1720 a and a second comb1720 b. The combs 1720 a, 1720 b may vary such as, for example, inbristle size, length and/or width. In this exemplary embodiment, thehousing 1754 may include a pair of slots 1756 and sliders 1758 disposedon opposite sides of the housing 1754 to accommodate the combs 1720 a,1720 b. The sliders 1758 in this exemplary embodiment are each attachedto one of the combs 1720 a and 1720 b, but may each be attached to bothof the combs 1720 a and 1720 b.

In another exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 21, a housing1854 may include a cap 70 disposed near a first end 1862 of the housing1854. The cap 70 may be constructed from a TPE material, but may beconstructed from any variety of suitable materials. The cap 70 may bepivotally attached to the housing 1854 via a hinge 71 that may be amechanical hinge or a living hinge, such that the housing 1854 and thehinge 71 may be fabricated as a simple unitary component.

In another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 22, a housing1954 may include a hook 1946 disposed near a second end 1964 of thehousing 1954.

In another exemplary embodiment a plurality of combs 2020 may beattached to a single handle 72. More specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 23, combs 2020 a, 2020 b, and 2020 c may each be fixedly attachednear their respective second ends 2028 a, 2028 b, and 2028 c,respectively, to the handle 72. The combs 2020 a, 2020 b, and 2020 c maybe oriented generally parallel to each other, and bristles 2020 a, 2020b, and 2020 c of the respective combs 2020 a, 2020 b, and 2020 c mayvary relative to each other.

The following operation may be accomplished in various ways one of whichwill be described herein. As a result, the below specified operation mayinclude additional or alternate steps, or may be accomplished with someof the steps deleted or combined.

In operation, as seen in FIG. 24, the user may hold the comb 20 suchthat the ends 42 of the bristles 34 are disposed near or abut the user'sscalp. The comb 20 may be held by the rigid handle portion 30 and/or theextended handle portion 44, such that the spine portion 32 can flexinwardly toward the handle portion 30. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 24, as thecomb 20 and, more specifically, the bristles 34 abut the user's scalp,the spine portion 32 may flex, thereby creating a rounded or curvedspine portion 32 and a rounded or curved profile of the ends 42 of thebristles 34. The flexure and curvature may, therefore, create a cushioneffect to the bristles 34 and/or allow for a better combing operation asthe bristles 34 may contour to the user's scalp.

The foregoing description is given for clearness of understanding only,and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, asmodifications within the scope of the invention may be apparent to thosehaving ordinary skill in the art.

1. A comb comprising: an elongate main body having a first end and asecond end opposite the first end; a slot disposed in the main bodyextending substantially along the entire length of the main body,thereby separating the main body into a rigid handle portion and aflexible spine portion, wherein the rigid handle portion is connected tothe flexible spine portion at the first and second ends of the mainbody; and a plurality of bristles extending from the spine portion in adirection opposite the handle portion, wherein the flexible spineportion deflects toward the rigid handle portion when sufficient forceis applied to tips of the bristles in a direction of the slot.
 2. Thecomb of claim 1, further including a limiting member disposed in theslot configured to engage the handle portion to limit deflection of theflexible spine portion in direction of the handle portion.
 3. The combof claim 2, wherein the limiting member extends into the slot from aninside surface of one of the rigid handle portion and the flexible spineportion.
 4. The comb of claim 1, wherein the main body portion includingthe rigid handle portion, the flexible spine portion, and the bristlesare integrally formed.
 5. The comb of claim 1, wherein the slot is atleast partially filled with a resilient material.
 6. The comb of claim5, wherein the slot entirely filled with one of a rubber and TPEmaterial.
 7. The comb of claim 1, further including a handle extensiondisposed on one of a first and second end of the body portion, wherein alength of the handle extension is at least ⅔ the length of the body. 8.The comb of claim 7, further including a plurality of combs extendingfrom the handle extension.
 9. The comb of claim 1, further including oneof a hook and pick disposed on one of a first and second end of the bodyportion.
 10. The comb of claim 1, further including a housing thatslidably receives the comb, wherein the comb is slidable between aretracted and an extended position.
 11. The comb of claim 1, furtherincluding a channel disposed in at least one of the plurality ofbristles.
 12. A comb comprising: a rigid handle portion having a firstend and a second end opposite the first end; a flexible spine portionhaving a first end and a second end opposite the first end, each of therespective first and second ends of the rigid handle portion and theflexible spine portion being attached, thereby providing a slot; and aplurality of bristles extending from the spine portion in a directionopposite the handle portion, wherein the flexible spine portion deflectstoward the rigid handle portion when sufficient force is applied to tipsof the bristles in a direction of the slot.
 13. The comb of claim 12,wherein the spine portion bends during use and abuts the handle portion.14. The comb of claim 12, wherein the rigid handle portion, the flexiblespine portion, and the bristles are integrally formed.
 15. The comb ofclaim 12, wherein the slot is at least partially filled with a resilientmaterial.
 16. The comb of claim 12, further including a channel disposedin at least one of the plurality of bristles.
 17. A comb comprising: abody comprising a rigid handle portion having a first end and a secondend opposite the first end, and a flexible spine portion having a firstend and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the respectivefirst and second ends of the rigid handle portion and the flexible spineportion are attached, thereby providing a slot there between; aplurality of bristles extending from the spine portion in a directionopposite the handle portion; and a housing that slidably receives thebody between a retracted and an extended position.
 18. The comb of claim17, wherein the body includes a slider that is received by a track in anouter surface of the housing, the slider being engageable when comb isin the retracted position to slide comb to the extended position. 19.The comb of claim 18, wherein the slider is accessible from an exteriorof the housing.
 20. The comb of claim 17, wherein housing fullyencompasses the body when in the retracted position.
 21. The comb ofclaim 20, wherein the housing includes a cover for closing an openingthrough which the body enters and exits the housing.
 22. The comb ofclaim 17, wherein the housing covers the slot and leaves the bristlesexposed when in the retracted position.
 23. The comb of claim 17,further including a channel disposed in at least one of the plurality ofbristles.